Fractures and Strains

Sports injuries or accident?  No problem.  Our urgent care clinic in Palatine is open extended hours and on weekends to take care of this unexpected fracture, sprain or dislocation.  Our board certified providers will evaluate, perform on-site Xray which will be read by a radiologist followed by appropriate treatment.  

 

Fracture/Sprain/Dislocation

 

Fracture, broken bones, sprain, strain can happen without any prior notice. At Epic urgent care Palatine we have highly trained staff and onsite digital x-ray machines which can make your one stop spot for any injuries related visit. You can walk-in at our clinic without any prior appointment and can be seen by our medical providers and get the care you need.

 

After thorough evaluation, we can treat your fracture or sprain with splint or immobilizer along with proper discharge instruction for long term care.

 

Any time an individual suffers from a broken bone, they need to seek prompt attention from skilled medical professionals like those found at Urgent Care Clinic & Primary Care Clinic. The specific kinds of treatments used to take care of a broken bone will depend on several different considerations. Some breaks are able to heal with just a simple cast, while others may be more serious and require surgery or the insertion of screws and plates to help keep bones together during the healing process. If you suspect you have broken one of your bones, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately. Come into our walk-in clinic to be treated quickly.

 

Types Of Bone Fractures

 

Once you arrive at our urgent care clinic for treatment, our doctor will begin working to assess the type and severity of your injury. Such an examination is essential to selecting an effective course of action. The majority of bone breaks fall into one of the following four categories:

 

Stable Fractures: These are simple breaks in which the bone has remained in its proper place despite the fracture. On x-rays, these fractures appear to be lines drawn directly onto the bone. There may not even be a notable gap between the separated pieces of bone.

 

Hairline Fractures: These exist when a bone has sustained a fracture, but one that has not gone entirely through it. Some refer to this condition as a partial fracture.

 

Open Compound Fractures: In such instances, the flesh near the bone will also have been compromised. In certain cases, the broken bone may actually puncture the flesh, though this is not necessarily the case.

 

Comminuted Fractures: These fractures are considered to be the most severe, and they involve no less than three pieces of bone that have become disconnected from one another. Such fractures will almost certainly necessitate surgical repair. The insertion of metal screws, pins, and plates may also be required in order to keep bone sections together while healing occurs.

 

How Does A Bone Fracture Feel? What Does It Look Like?

 

When a bone is broken, pain almost always results. The area surrounding the break will be marked by heightened sensitivity to pressure, even when touched very lightly. Also, significant amounts of swelling are likely to occur. Tissue can become bruised and bleeding is not uncommon in cases of compound fracture. Breaks occurring near a joint can produce virtual immobility. Individuals with bone fractures may experience severe light-headedness, paleness of the skin and fainting. These symptoms are particularly common in cases of pelvic bone or femur fractures following an initial physician assessment, x-rays will likely be used as a means to confirm the diagnosis. They may also be helpful in offering additional insights not immediately apparent upon visual examination.

 

Treating Bone Fractures

 

The majority of individuals with bone fractures will wear a brace or a cast in order to keep the area immobile. Prior to the application of a cast, it may be necessary to keep the limb contained in a splint for a period of time. This facilitates the reduction of swelling before a cast is applied. These tools are designed to keep all bones held in their proper place for the duration of the healing process.

 

The length of time a cast must be worn will vary on a case-by-case basis. There are some patients who will need their cast changed during their healing. Severe fractures may call for metal implements to be surgically inserted in order to achieve optimal results. Such appliances are sometimes placed internally only, though they may also need to be connected to external braces. This is often the case when damage has been sustained by surrounding areas of tissue. Comminuted fractures almost always require surgical repair, and a pre-op examination will certainly be conducted in advance. The doctor makes a minor incision near the break and inserts pins or plates to keep the bones held together. This hardware may even be left inside the body after healing is complete. To round out the entire process and restore full mobility, physical therapy may be prescribed.

 

You can call us at 708-733-7750 for our Palatine location or 630-703-2711 for our Streamwood location for the appointment or CLICK HERE to make an appointment. 

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